Jul 9, 2013 | 8:27 PM (Photo: Reuters/Juan Carlos Ulate)Costa Rica's players celebrate a goal against Panama during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the National Stadium in San Jose June 18, 2013.

Costa Rica vs Cuba takes place in the Gold Cup 2013 tournament on Tuesday, with both teams looking to take an early advantage as they attempt to get out of the group stages and qualify for the next round. The game kicks off at 8.30 p.m. ET and can be watched online through free live stream (details below).

The United States are expected to take one of the top positions in Group C of the Gold Cup soccer group stages, which means the pressure is on the other teams in the group to get the all important second spot.

The team that loses today will suffer a huge setback although it would not be the end of the road for them.

Costa Rica are the firm favorites for tonight's game as Cuba has left a number of their main players out of their Gold Cup squad.

Marcel Hernandez and Carlos Francisco, two of the team's best young players from the Caribbean Cup, have been left at home for the Gold Cup tournament for Cuba.

Meanwhile, Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell, Cristian Bolaños and Keylor Navas have not been included in Costa Rica's plans for the tournament.

However, they have included a number of top players that should see them comfortably see off the Cuban threat in today's game.

The other two teams in Group C, the United States and Belize, will compete in the second of today's Gold Cup matches later tonight.

Costa Rica vs Cuba takes place in the Gold Cup 2013 tournament on Tuesday and can be watched online through free live stream by clicking here.